Diabetes

Exercise can be more effective than medication!

Diabetes is characterized by an excess of glucose (sugar) in the blood. This sugar reacts with blood vessels, organs and the brain causing the complications associated with diabetes. It is the job of Insulin to lower the glucose in the blood.

This excess glucose arises because the body starts to ignore insulin, because it is always there attempting to bring the blood glucose down. Eventually more and more insulin is necessary to get the same effect on the blood glucose causing the body burn out and stop producing insulin.

Currently, diabetic medications are used to make the body more sensitive to insulin, so the body doesn’t have to produce as much. Once the body “burns out”, insulin must be injected into the body to lower blood glucose levels.

Exercise has shown to be more effective than medication in most instances. Exercise makes the body more sensitive to insulin, and even lowers blood glucose without insulin for hours after exercise. There are no negative side effects of exercise, and too many positive ones to list!

There are two types of diabetes and to provide a brief explanation of both; in type 1 diabetes, the pancreas has gone completely kaput and the body has become insulin dependent requiring injections or an insulin pump to control glucose levels.For more information on Type 1 Diabetes, download this useful fact sheet Diabetes Fact Sheet 

In type 2 diabetes, the pancreas is screaming out for help, trying its very hardest to convert glucose into energy but it’s struggling and as a result, the body is building an insulin resistance, leaving too much glucose in the blood. Potential complications for both types of diabetes are the same and can results in heart attack, stroke, kidney disease, limb amputation, blindness as well as mental illness. On a more positive note type 2 diabetes can be managed and controlled by diet, lifestyle and exercise. Refer to our type 2 diabetes exercise program below.

Dietetics

Exercise is only part of the treatment for diabetes, nutrition plays a key role in reducing the glucose load on the body so blood glucose can be reduced long term and consistently.

Eating the wrong foods may derail your efforts in the gym, so we aim to give you the knowledge, therefore the power to monitor foods and modify your nutrition to your needs.

Our experienced and professional Dietician will be involved in group presentations and individual sessions as needed.

Mental Health

Diabetes can also affect your mental health and put you at higher risk of depression and anxiety disorders. For more information on how to manage and look after your mental and emotional health when living with diabetes, download this useful guide: DiabetesMentalHealth

 

NAH Type 2 Diabetes Group Exercise Program

Northside Allied Health’s medicare funded type 2 diabetes program is specifically designed for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. Operating from our Morayfield clinic, the friendly group program is progressive, educational and physical and includes:

  • 8 week program
  • 1 – 2 group exercise sessions per week
  • Individual Dietetics sessions included (EPC referral required) with information on diet, food choices and monitoring blood glucose levels
  • Each patient will undergo an Initial and final individual health and fitness assessment
  • Sessions are held in a friendly and social group setting with other patients who are there for the same condition
  • Podiatry foot care talks
  • Health and Exercise education
  • Your Exercise Physiologist will take you through every step in your personalized program.

Exercise has shown to be more effective than medication in most instances. Exercise makes the body more sensitive to insulin, and even lowers blood glucose without insulin for hours after exercise. There are no negative side effects of exercise, and too many positive ones to list!

For more information on the diabetes program contact our friendly admin team.